Zab Judah vs. Vernon Paris
| Total Punches | Judah | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Landed | 177 | 89 |
| Thrown | 423 | 299 |
| Pct. | 42% | 30% |
| Jabs | Judah | Paris |
| Landed | 54 | 12 |
| Thrown | 221 | 75 |
| Pct. | 24% | 16% |
| Power Punches | Judah | Paris |
| Landed | 123 | 77 |
| Thrown | 202 | 224 |
| Pct. | 61% | 34% |
Zab Judah 138 lbs beat Vernon Paris 138 lbs by TKO at 2:07 in round 9 of 12
- Date: 2012-03-24
- Location: Aviator Sports Complex, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Referee: Steve Willis
- Judge: Steve Weisfeld
- Judge: Tony Paolillo
- Judge: John Poturaj
- Aired On: NBC Sports (Main Event)
- IBF Light Welterweight Title Eliminator
Notes
- Zab Judah 41-7 (28 KOs) vs. Vernon Paris 26-0 (15 KOs)
- Judah, a slight underdog, entered as # 6 junior welterweight in the world by The Ring Magazine, Paris ranked # 10. [1]
Bout Summary
Judah dominated the action throughout. He was too quick for the younger Paris, moved in and out and landed power shots repeatedly. Action was paused midway through the opening opening round to fix tape on one of Judah's gloves. Paris appeared to be momentarily hurt in Round 1, but was able to cover and avoid Judah's followup attack. Judah's ring experience and generalship was evident in Round 2 as he continued to slip well and hurt Paris with the left hand. Judah landed straight shots through Paris's guard in the third round. Paris, who was almost turning his back to Judah when hurt, was warned in Round 3 for a low blow. Paris had an improved Round 3 as much of the first half of the round was found in close. Judah closed the round fighting from the outside where he landed against the slower Paris, who looked discouraged. Judah confused Paris with angles and battered him in the 5th Round both to the body and upstairs and clearly looked a class above his opponent. A big right uppercut highlighted the action midway through the round snapping back the head of Paris. Judah closed Round 7 throwing a barrage against a covered Paris. Paris pounded his chest, as he did many times before, and tried to retaliate. Paris looked his best in the first half of Round 8, landing to the body and then to the head. He seemed spent toward the end of the round, however, and Judah pumped him with a jab almost at will. Judah caught Paris early in Round 9 with a straight left hand that rocked his and opened a cut under his left eye. Judah came forward and landed a barrage against a wholly defensive and hurt Paris. With Paris against the ropes and taking shots, the referee stepped in and waved an end to the bout. Paris had a defeated look on his face the entire bout, because Judah was faster than him from the opening bell and outworked him throughout. While Paris 'hung in there' and narrowly escaped getting knocked out a number of times, as the rounds progressed his discouragement came from not having a game plan to counter Judah's stick and move punching from angles which scored all night, and have to grab and hold when his counterpunching attempts were ineffective.
Trainer Freddie Roach provided live telecast commentary for the NBC Sports Network. Celebrities in attendance including promoter Don King, promoter Russell Peltz, trainer Lou Duva, and boxing legends Riddick Bowe, Junior Jones, 'The Quiet Man' John Ruiz, and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. The last three bouts were featured on the live telecast beginning 10:30 P.M. EST. The entire seven bout card was rebroadcast the following day on the NBC Sports network by tape delay. The celebrities greeted the crowd during the event. Duva, 91, wearing a white suit at ringside, mingled and looked good.